pick up/pick up on

[Maybo]

1. If you listen to a lot of news, you can pick up on new words.
2. If you listen to a lot of news, you can pick up new words.

Are they the same?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Not exactly.

Number 2 is better.

When we say "pick up on," we usually mean sense or notice or intuit or gradually get the gist. Example: "Did you notice that Jose was nervous?" "Yes, I picked up on that."

 

[emsr2d2]

Not exactly.

Number 2 is better.

When we say "pick up on," we usually mean sense or notice or intuit or gradually get the gist. Example: "Did you notice that Jose was nervous?" "Yes, I picked up on that."

Whereas "pick up new words" means add them to your vocabulary and start using them yourself.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Whereas "pick up new words" means add them to your vocabulary and start using them yourself.

Exactly!

Accumulate. Gather. Gain. Collect.